Manchester United are back in contact with a potential Erik ten Hag successor as they look to plan for all eventualities, it has been claimed.
Erik ten Hag running out of time
It is no secret that Ten Hag is under massive pressure at Old Trafford, just months after signing a new deal with the Red Devils.
If the FA Cup win against Manchester City papered over cracks in his management, playstyle and results, then the opening part of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign has widened those cracks to chasms.
Man Utd ace who left for only £16m is now outperforming the whole club
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have struggled at Manchester United this season.
ByMatt Dawson Oct 14, 2024
His return of eight points in seven games is the worst in Manchester United’s Premier League history, breaking a record he himself set 12 months ago, a clear demonstration that his side are going firmly in the wrong direction.
Currently 14th in the Premier League, Manchester United have won just twice and for his side’s most recent 0-0 draw with Aston Villa he dropped almost all of the signings he has made to date, with Lisandro Martinez, Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Antony all among the substitutes.
Clearly, a decision has to be made soon as United’s early blip threatens to derail their season, and now it seems that the United hierarchy are sounding out replacements once more.
Man Utd back in contact with "exceptional" manager
Now, TBR report that Manchester United have reopened contacts with free agent manager Thomas Tuchel as INEOS are “drawing up contingency plans” should they decide to sack Ten Hag.
Thomas Tuchel
The former Chelsea man, dubbed “exceptional” by Sky Sports presenter Dougie Critchley on X, has been out of work since he was sacked by Bayern Munich at the end of last season and was strongly linked with the Manchester United job over the summer.
Now, it has been reported that talks are back on, and that “Tuchel’s people have had contact once again” from the Red Devils as Ten Hag remains under scrutiny.
Thomas Tuchel’s PL record vs Erik ten Hag
Thomas Tuchel
Erik ten Hag
Games
63
83
Wins
35
43
Win %
56%
52%
Points per game
1.94
1.72
Goals scored per game
1.73
1.45
Goals against per game
0.87
1.31
On paper, it would certainly be an upgrade; during his time in the Premier League, Tuchel’s Chelsea averaged more points per game, more goals scored, and fewer goals conceded than Ten Hag’s time at Manchester United has currently produced.
England role complicates Man Utd move for Tuchel
One thing that may have prompted a resurgence in talks between Manchester United and Tuchel is the potential vacancy to manage the England national team, with the German firmly in the frame for the job.
Current interim boss Lee Carsley has done little to suggest that he wants or deserves the role on a full-time basis, and German outlet Bild report that Tuchel is “in talks to become the next England manager”, which would prevent him taking up the post at Old Trafford.
The role has been vacant since Gareth Southgate’s departure after a second consecutive EURO final defeat, and the FA will be looking to fill it in the not too distant future, which could leave Tuchel with a choice to make on his future.
For his part, he is thought to be keen on the Manchester United role, but they may have to move quickly to ensure his head isn’t turned by the lure of the Three Lions.
Bosch has secured her first WBBL deal after a promising return to international cricket
ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2021Brisbane Heat have signed South Africa allrounders Nadine de Klerk and Anneke Bosch for the WBBL.de Klerk will be returning for her second season with Heat after playing nine matches in last year’s campaign. For Bosch it will be her first experience at the WBBL and follows her promising return to the South Africa side earlier this year.Bosch was recalled against Pakistan in February before being part of the tour of India where she struck maiden half-centuries in both the ODIs and T20Is. Runs continued to come as part of South Africa’s Emerging Players team against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe which included a century in Bulawayo.”We were really impressed with Nadine and how she adapted and improved across the tournament, which was played in some pretty challenging conditions due to the strict bio-security regime we all had to follow,” head coach Ashley Noffke said.”She’s ultra-competitive and give us another player who likes to get in and get the job done. She bowled well last season and did some unselfish work with the bat when it was needed.””Anneke impressed us with her composure as well as her ability. In all our dealings with her, and the scouting we did before signing her, her strengths are that she is a talented individual who also works hard to enhance the other players around her.””With Delissa Kimmince retiring, it will be great to have another experienced player in the group who can contribute on and off the field for the club.”Heat’s captain Jess Jonassen is currently sidelined by a stress fracture in her tibia which has ruled her out of the multi-format series against India.The WBBL is due to start on October 14 in Sydney, three days the India series finishes, although the schedule is likely to change due to Covid-19 lockdowns.Current Brisbane Heat squad Jess Jonassen (capt), Anneke Bosch, Nadine de Klerk, Grace Harris, Laura Kimmince, Mikayla Hinkley, Charli Knott, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Georgia Voll
Manchester City head into the first international break of the 2024/25 campaign at the top of the Premier League table after the first three matches.
Erling Haaland has enjoyed a sensational start to the season, with a whopping seven goals and two hat-tricks in those three games, and looks set for another superb year in England.
The Norway international kicked his campaign off with a clever finish at Stamford Bridge in a 2-0 win on the opening day, before netting trebles against both Ipswich Town and West Ham United.
He has been the star of the show so far, with his exceptional work in front of goal in the Premier League, but the prolific centre-forward has not been the only eye-catching performer for Pep Guardiola.
Lee Carsley, who is the interim manager of England following the departure of Gareth Southgate, recently named his first senior squad and selected Cityzens academy graduate Rico Lewis, who has begun the season as a regular starter for City.
rico-lewis-man-city-championship-leeds-transfers
The impressive youngster has been capped once by the Three Lions to date but was not selected for their squad in Germany for the European Championship in the summer.
Rico Lewis' current market value
This could be a full-on breakout year for Lewis if he can establish himself as a regular starter for both Manchester City and England over the coming months.
His rise through the ranks to become a genuine first-team option for Guardiola has been a big success story for the academy, as they have developed a hugely talented player, who is now an asset for the club.
rico-lewis-man-city-championship-leeds-transfers
At the time of writing (06/09/2024), Transfermarkt values the England international at €38m (£32m) and that is a gigantic rise from his valuation of just €1m (£843k) in November 2022.
This means that his value his soared by a staggering 3,695% in less than two years, which perfectly illustrates his incredible rise over the last two seasons.
In the 2023/24 campaign, Lewis produced two goals and four assists in 27 appearances in all competitions, but only started nine matches in the Premier League.
Starts
3
Pass accuracy
86%
Assists
1
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.0
Ball recoveries per game
7.0
Dribbled past
0x
As you can see in the table above, the 19-year-old dynamo has already started three games in the division this term and put in fantastic performances.
The teenage battler has made an impressive nine tackles and interceptions combined and 21 ball recoveries without being dribbled past a single time, which shows how strong he has been out of possession.
Whilst his emergence has been a joy to watch, City may wonder if they could have already had a supreme young talent emerge in his position had they not cashed in on Jeremie Frimpong too early.
How much City sold Jeremie Frimpong for
The Premier League giants reportedly sold the academy prospect to Scottish Premiership side Celtic for a fee of £300k ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, as Pep Guardiola decided that he was not in his first-team plans moving forward, as the youngster had not made a single senior appearance.
He had come up through the ranks with the Cityzens, making 62 appearances for the U18s and U21s combined, but was seemingly not deemed to be a big enough talent to either remain at the club or command a much higher transfer fee.
Frimpong, who was a Netherlands U19 international during his time at City, produced three goals and seven assists from a right-back position in those 62 outings for the youth sides, which shows that his attacking quality was on display.
Former Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong.
The Dutch gem immediately became a first-team regular for Celtic and contributed with three goals and eight assists in 51 matches in just 18 months with the Scottish giants, which shows that he was already prepared to play senior football by the time of his exit from England.
Guardiola and City had a nightmare with the £300k sale as Frimpong starred for the Hoops and secured a big move within 18 months of leaving The Etihad.
In January of 2021, German giants Bayer Leverkusen came in and snapped up the Dutchman for a reported fee of £11.5m, which represented a huge profit for Celtic, who had only paid £300k to sign him in 2019.
Jeremie Frimpong's current market value
At the time of writing (06/09/2024), Transfermarkt has Frimpong's current market value at a whopping €50m (£42m), which is considerably more than the £11.5m the Bundesliga side paid for him.
It also means that his value has skyrocketed by an unbelievable 13,900% since Manchester City and Guardiola decided to cash in him for £300k just over five years ago.
The 23-year-old whiz has starred for Leverkusen in recent seasons and his performances on the pitch have seen his value soar, to a point where he is currently worth more than Rico Lewis (£32m).
Frimpong has racked up 26 goals and 33 assists in 146 matches or the German side over the last few years, predominantly featuring as a wing-back on the right side.
He made 47 appearances in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign as Xabi Alonso's team won the German Cup, the Bundesliga unbeaten, and reached the final of the Europa League.
Appearances
31
Goals
8
Big chances created
9
Assists
7
Key passes per game
1.5
As you can see in the table above, Frimpong played a crucial role in their success in the Bundesliga last season with 15 direct goal contributions in 31 outings as a wing-back for the Spanish head coach.
He has emerged as one of the finest players in his position across Europe and that is further illustrated by reports linking him with a return to Manchester City this summer.
Whilst the club did not end up re-signing the full-back, the reported interest in bringing him back to Manchester is an admittance that they got it wrong when they sold him for £300k in 2019, as Guardiola and the club had a nightmare by allowing him to move on for such a small fee.
Big mistake: Man City talent who left for £0 is now worth more than Savinho
The Cityzens missed out on a player who has since starred in the Premier League and the Bundesliga.
Leeds United are four games into the 2024/25 Championship season after they failed to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Whites have won two and drawn two of their opening four matches in the second tier, with wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull in their last two.
It has been a solid enough start to the campaign after a summer transfer window that was full of turbulence for Daniel Farke and his first-team squad.
Glen Kamara, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, and Archie Gray, who were all key cogs in the system last season, were all sold, to Rennes, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
That meant that the Whites had to dip into the market to sign Jayden Bogle, Largie Ramazani, Manor Solomon, Ao Tanaka, Alex Cairns, Joe Rothwell, Isaac Schmidt, and Joe Rodon.
Farke had to bring in attacking reinforcements to bolster his squad after Rutter and Summerville moved to the Premier League, particularly due to the creativity that the former provided through the middle of the pitch for the Yorkshire-based outfit last term.
Georginio Rutter's creativity for Leeds
The French wizard, who is now looking to make his mark in the top-flight with Brighton, showcased his creative quality throughout the 2023/24 campaign for Leeds.
Rutter had produced zero goals and one assist in 11 matches for the Whites in his short time in the Premier League with them during the second half of the 2022/23 season.
The club's relegation to the Championship and the arrival of Farke, with his possession-based style of play, allowed the former Hoffenheim man to flourish at Elland Road.
Appearances
45
Goals
6
Assists
15
Big chances created
22
Key passes per game
1.9
Pass accuracy
69%
As you can see in the table above, the 22-year-old wizard was directly involved in 21 goals in 45 appearances during the regular season, whilst he also scored against Norwich in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Rutter racking up 15 assists from 22 'big chances' created also suggests that his teammates let him down at times with their wasteful finishing, as they did not make the most of the high-quality opportunities that he created.
In fact, the French starlet ranked within the top 2% of forwards in the Championship for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.29) and the top 2% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.41), which shows that he was one of the most creative players in his position in the division.
One player who did manage more assists in the Championship last season, though, was a player who was once fumbled by Leeds and Jesse Marsch.
Leeds fumbled Leif Davis
The Whites swooped to sign the teenager from Morecambe U18s in the summer of 2018 and Marcelo Bielsa almost immediately handed him opportunities in the first-team.
Davis featured five times for the senior side, including four matches in the Championship, during the 2018/19 campaign, despite not having played any first-team football for Morecambe prior to his move to Elland Road.
The promising young left-back then played three times in the second tier the following season, as Leeds won the title and earned promotion to the Premier League.
Former Leeds defender Leif Davis.
That rise to the top-flight restricted Davis' chances in the first-team and, after two Premier League outings in the 2020/21 campaign, he was sent out on loan to Bournemouth in the 2021/22 season.
The English defender produced one assist in 12 appearances in the Championship for the Cherries, where he was dubbed an "animal" by boss Scott Parker, in the second half of that term and returned to find Jesse Marsch in charge, having left with Bielsa at the helm.
That summer, in 2022, Marsch decided that Davis did not have a future under him at Elland Road and sanctioned a permanent transfer to League One side Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys reportedly saw off Championship competition to secure his services for a fee of at least £1m, and it is a move that has turned out to be a blinder by Kieran McKenna.
Marsch and Leeds must regret cashing in on the exciting full-back because his career has gone from strength to strength since moving on from the club, to the point where he is now playing in the league above them.
Leif Davis' form for Ipswich
The left-footed wizard hit the ground running in Suffolk with an eye-catching return of three goals and 14 assists in 43 League One appearances during the 2022/23 campaign.
His attacking impetus from left-back helped Ipswich to finish second in the division and earn promotion up to the Championship, where Davis thrived last season.
The Tractor Boys went on to finish second in the league and beat Leeds, who placed third, to an automatic promotion place, with the former Whites man playing a pivotal role in their success.
In the 2023/24 campaign, as you can see in the graphic above, Davis racked up a staggering 21 assists in the Championship for Ipswich, which was six more than Rutter managed for Leeds in the same league.
The 24-year-old star was shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award alongside the French attacking midfielder, although the award was eventually won by Summerville.
Davis, unsurprisingly, ranked within the top 1% of full-backs in the division for assists per 90 (0.43) and the top 1% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.91), averaging more of both per 90 than Rutter did.
These statistics suggest that Leeds would have had an even greater creative threat than the now-Brighton star had Marsch not cashed in on the defender back in 2022, due to his exceptional statistics as a creator of goals for the Tractor Boys last season.
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The Whites youngster appears to be a promising talent within the academy.
ByDan Emery Sep 10, 2024
Davis, who has registered one assist in three matches in the Premier League this term, has developed into a sensational attacking threat from left-back over the last two years or so, and the Whites selling him for £1m+ currently looks like it was a huge error on their part.
Após quase um ano e meio sem vestir a Amarelinha,Philippe Coutinho voltou a ser convocado para a Seleção Brasileira nas Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo. O meia do Barcelona foi um dos primeiros a se apresentar e atendeu os jornalistas na tarde de segunda-feira (8) em entrevista coletiva.
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Dentinho ficou livre no mercado: veja 30 jogadores interessantes sem clube
O atleta se mostrou surpreso por uma crítica feita pelo jornal catalão “Sport”, na qual o veículo relatou uma suposta reação preguiçosa do jogador em aquecimento do jogo entre Barcelona e Celta de Vigo, que terminou 3 a 3. Ele abafou as críticas e disse estar focado no trabalho com o resto do grupo.
– Fiquei meio surpreso quando cheguei em casa e vi algumas notícias. Na minha vida nunca faltei com profissionalismo. Sempre respeitei a todos, com todo mundo que trabalhei. Mas tudo bem, respeito a opinião de vocês jornalistas. Falando sobre a convocação, estou muito feliz, tenho muita vontade de estar de volta. Venho com a cabeça no trabalho, focado no trabalho, para poder conquistar as coisas mediante ao trabalho, nesses dez dias que tenho aqui – afirmou.
Outro aspecto abordado na coletiva foi sobre seu momento na carreira. Depois de sofreruma lesão no joelho esquerdo em dezembro de 2020, o atleta formado no Vasco passou por três cirurgias e só voltou a entrar em campo no dia 14 de setembro, na derrota do Barcelona por 3 a 0, para o Bayern de Munique, na estreia da Champions League.
– Me sinto muito bem. Óbvio que ficar nove meses parado não é fácil, vir de três cirurgias seguidas no mesmo joelho… Mas desde que voltei não sinto nenhuma dor, nenhum incômodo. Mas me sinto bem. Voltei em setembro, já tem um tempo, estou feliz em estar de volta. É como se fosse a primeira vez, é assim que encaro toda vez que estou na Seleção. É uma honra vestir essa camisa – disse.
Os jornalistas relembraram uma declaração de Tite ao jornal espanhol “As”, concedida em 2020, na qual o comandante falou que Coutinho é o tipo de jogador que precisa ser mimado. Coutinho refutou tal ideia e voltou a falar sobre dedicação e trabalho.
-Isso aí fica sempre com vocês jornalistas, que criam bastante coisa. Eu acredito muito no meu trabalho, no meu potencial, é claro que o professor e o estafe me conhecem de um tempo, não é a primeira vez que sou convocado. Eu venho com bastante confiança para desempenhar meu melhor com o grupo da seleção – declarou.
SIMULE OS JOGOS DASELIMINATÓRIAS DA AMÉRICA DO SUL
DISPUTA POR POSIÇÃO E ENCAIXE NA SELEÇÃO
Coutinho foi convocado para a vaga de Éverton Ribeiro, já que Tite não chamou jogadores que atuam no Brasil. O meia do Barcelona briga por uma vaga entre os titulares e ele elogiou um de seus principais concorrentes, Lucas Paquetá.
-É boa a evolução dele, é um grande jogador. É bom para a Seleção ter grandes jogadores. Venho aqui na base do trabalho, quero poder trabalhar nesses 10 dias, dar o meu máximo. Aqui na seleção sempre foi assim: aquele que estiver em melhores condições, em melhor momento, é quem joga, que merece jogar. Venho aqui trabalhar forte e buscar o meu espaço – comentou.
Perguntado sobre onde se enxerga no esquema de Tite, o meia se esquivou e deixou a decisão nas mão de Tite. Ele fez questão de agradecer o apoio que recebeu da comissão técnica da Seleção no período em que ficou lesionado.
-Falar de posições, obviamente é com o comandante. Eu estou muito feliz em estar podendo voltar à Seleção depois de um período grande, largo, em que sempre visei voltar a vestir essa camisa e estou aqui de novo. Aproveito para agradecer ao professor Tite, todo estafe, até porque nesse período complicado, de cirurgia, eles estiveram em todos os momentos comigo, me visitaram, caso do Fábio, doutor Rodrigo Lasmar, que me operou. Sou muito grato a toda à comissão. Sobre posições, não fizemos o primeiro treinamento. Hoje a gente vai conversar, o estafe com todo o grupo, e eles vão colocar a ideia para o próximo jogo, contra a Colômbia, e diante disso é trabalhar para buscar o melhor para a Seleção – afirmou.
MOMENTO NO BARCELONA E CHEGADA DE XAVI
Após um longo período se recuperando das lesões e cirurgias, Coutinho vem, aos poucos, retomando seu espaço no Barcelona. Desde o começo da temporada europeia, eledisputou 11 partidas, sendo quatro como titular. O atleta falou sobre o seu retorno aos gramados.
-Já se passou um tempo que voltei a jogar, claro que não tive uma sequência de jogos começando jogando, como gostaria, mas 100% estou, e muito feliz em estar aqui de volta.
Quando retornar ao Barça, o camisa 14 encontrará um novo comandante, pois Xavi assinou contrato e foi apresentado no Camp Nou para a torcida culé. O meia comentou sobre a declaração dada pelo espanhol de que ele teria sido convidado pela CBF para ser assistente de Tite, e futuramente comandar a Seleção Brasileira.
– Fiquei sabendo por você. Xavi foi um grande jogador, um grande ídolo no futebol. E agora está de volta à casa, ao Barcelona. Espero que ele possa ter muito sucesso junto com o grupo que nós temos. Fui pego de surpresa, não sabia. Pude conversar uma vez com ele quando tive uma visita a alguns médicos do Qatar, sei do grande cara que ele é, com certeza vai fazer um grande trabalho no Barcelona – destacou o meia.
CONTRASTE ENTRE FUTEBOL BRASILEIRO E EUROPEU
Desde 2008 no futebol europeu, quando se transferiu para a Inter de Milão, o brasileiro falou sobre as diferenças do jogo disputado na Europa e no Brasil, ressaltando a evolução em solo brasileiro.
– Acredito que estamos no caminho certo. Esse critério é um pouco difícil para se falar, até porque não temos muitos jogos contra eles, mediante ao calendário de competições. Acredito que o futebol brasileiro está no caminho certo. Evolução nítida a cada jogo, evolução em campo e resultados vinham. Tenho confiança nessa seleção – concluiu.
Liverpool supporters roared in triumph as Arne Slot got off to a winning start in the Premier League, taking on the impossible job of replacing Jurgen Klopp in the dugout.
But a lackadaisical, disjointed first half left plenty to be desired for the Reds, who had travelled to Portman Road to clash against newly-promoted Ipswich Town, who were worth their salt as they outworked and outbattled the visitors.
That all changed after the break, however, with Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah doing the damage as fans witnessed the heady brand of football take shape.
Liverpool players celebrate
Old habits, ay. Klopp might be gone but the spirit of the 12:30 kick-off rules eternal for the Merseysiders, who carried over some negative energy that plagued the 2023/24 campaign.
A tale of two halves
Poor opening, revivified after the break? That doesn't sound like Liverpool. Post-match, Slot repeatedly referenced the polarity in performance between the opening half and the final 45, stressing that he has inherited a first-class squad but that the unhurried nature of the opening must be eradicated.
No Premier League side recovered more points from losing positions (28) than Liverpool last season, bearing testament to their character but carrying an undercurrent that proved unsustainable in the end, evidenced by April's catastrophic slump in form.
Goals scored
0
2
Big chances
0
6
Shots (on target)
3 (0)
15 (5)
Possession
58%
66%
Dribbles completed
2/8 (25%)
9/14 (64%)
Tackles won
5/12 (40%)
4/8 (50%)
Duels won
22/53 (42%)
24/44 (55%)
Ball recoveries
26
19
Welcome to Liverpool, Arn'. Slow starts are something that the Dutchman will want to shake as the campaign gets going, for Arsenal and Manchester City are expected to complete imperious seasons once again and will likely establish unrecoverable distance if so.
But Slot is a "control freak" (self-professed), and his brutal decision to substitute Jarell Quansah for Ibrahima Konate at half-time offers a glimpse into the mindset of the man tasked with leading Liverpool to post-Klopp glory.
It made a convincing comment on his innate tactical understanding and willingness to make tough decisions for the good of the team. Let's not get ahead of ourselves – we're one match in – but the Redmen look like they could mount an exciting drive toward the forefront of the Premier League pack, with depth in numbers to attack cup competitions with force too.
However, it was indeed a poor first half with The Athletic's James Pearce saying that Liverpool "looked vulnerable on the counter-attack," with "far too many sloppy errors in possession."
Liverpool's midfield, in particular, was unable to assert its authority as hoped, an issue that, before their second-half rampage, cast minds to the failed attempt to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi this month.
Liverpool's never-ending midfield issue
Last season, Alexis Mac Allister performed as Liverpool's deep-lying midfielder on an ad hoc basis, spreading his wings and scurrying up the field across the second half of the term as Wataru Endo, a surprise £16m signing last summer, grew into his skin as the anchor.
The Japan international offered a tenacious and composed approach. Think of him as the flour to Klopp's cake: not the most exciting part of the recipe but very much essential for success in the Carabao Cup and results that secured a route back into the Champions League.
By all accounts, though, Slot isn't a fan, with Endo playing a bit-part role throughout pre-season and failing to lift from the bench in Suffolk. Signing a sitting midfielder has been the priority this summer but Zubimendi went back on his word and rejected the Anfield side at the start of the week.
The Spanish Euro 2024 champion has been hailed as "one of the best midfielders in the world" by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente and would have been a terrific addition, with his press resistance and mastery of the basics enabling the creative success and fluency of the Liverpool attack.
Sporting director Richard Hughes will pounce on an alternative if the right opportunity arises, but the performance of Ryan Gravenberch against Ipswich on Saturday might have proved that the Premier League giants can make do without.
Why Gravenberch could be a Zubimendi upgrade
Speaking plainly, Gravenberch has been on the periphery of supporters' attention in recent months, with few positing that the 22-year-old could be a shrewd internal solution to Liverpool's central (quite literally) issue.
curtis-jones-ryan-gravenberch-liverpool-opinion
Saved from a stodgy spell at Bayern Munich with a £34m transfer last summer, the Netherlands native showed flashes of brilliance but didn't nail down a regular starting berth, with 12 appearances from the outset in the top flight. Scarcely used in a deeper role last year, the multi-functional midfielder might just have found a new home at the club.
It was a cultured and combative display, with Slot's countryman showcasing an athletic and steely skillset that speaks of his dynamic functionality and could even allow him to perform the role to a higher standard than Zubimendi conceivably would have.
The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle even gushed over the effort and awarded him with an 8/10 match rating, writing: 'Some good moments on the ball and resisted press impressively but still learning when the best time to tackle. Began to enjoy himself more [sic] longer game progressed as spaces began to open up going forward. Really encouraging in deeper midfield.'
There was just so much promise about his season-opening performance, with the Dutchman's movement and fizz evidenced through his match statistics.
Minutes played
90'
Touches
71
Pass completion
51/59 (86%)
Long balls
2/2
Dribble attempts
1/2
Ball recoveries
2
Tackles
3
Duels won
6/12
It's obviously difficult to draw conclusions after one match, but Gravenberch's combativeness and progressive quality can be discerned through such observations, especially when considering the scope of his technical ability when collated against Zubimendi's.
The Sociedad sensation – who makes his seasonal debut against Rayo Vallecano this evening – completed 86% of his passes in La Liga last year, averaging 0.5 key passes, 1.6 tackles, 4.0 successful duels and 5.5 ball recoveries per game.
Pass completion
83%
86%
Progressive passes
6.27
5.15
Shot-creating actions
3.73
1.86
Progressive carries
3.10
1.15
Successful take-ons
1.90
0.41
Ball recoveries
5.87
5.73
Tackles + interceptions
3.17
2.92
Blocks
1.59
1.12
While it's important to remember that Gravenberch operated in a different role and different system than his Basque-born counterpart, there's a clear advantage in passing and a more aggressive defensive game too.
What, exactly, does that mean? Well, Gravenberch basically has what it takes to perform Zubimendi's role. With a little more defensive discipline and a streamlined focus, a depletion in carries and take-ons could be met with a rise in ball recovery and tackling output.
Gravenberch will face tougher tests yet in midfield, but he proved that he has what it takes to succeed as the ball-playing deep-sitter in Slot's midfield, stroking ranged balls forward and with energetic and intelligent mobility besides.
Zubimendi would have performed such a role with aplomb; there's a reason Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at landing his signature.
But the most effective solutions do not always come from afar in football, and Gravenberch has demonstrated some exciting pliability that could see Slot hammer him into shape as a holding player.
It was by no means a perfect performance from the £150k-per-week talent, who faced his boss's baying in the first half due to some errant positioning that led to a slick Ipswich counter slicing through Liverpool's line, but there's something, something, there.
Press-resistant and technically proficient, Gravenberch has the apt properties for a sustainable position at No. 6. If he can use his display against the Tractor Boys as a launchpad, Zubimendi's rejection could become a faded bygone memory.
Forget Zubimendi: Liverpool could sign an "elite" £51m alternative
Arne Slot needs a deep-lying midfielder to suit his system…
نجح فريق الكرة الأول بنادي مودرن سبورت في تسجيل الهدف الأول بشباك نظيره الزمالك في المباراة الجارية بينهما حاليًا.
المباراة تقام حاليا على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، ضمن مواجهات الجولة التاسعة من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز.
تشكيل الزمالك أمام مودرن سبورت في الدوري المصري.. شلبي وزيزو يقودان الهجوم
وسجل هدف اللقاء اللاعب جوزيف جوناثان في الدققة 87 من عمر اللقاء بعد “وان تو” مع علي زعزع، اخترقا به دفاع الزمالك لينفرد بـ محمد عواد ويسجل بمهارة ودقة في شباك الزمالك.
ويحتل الزمالك المركز الثالث في جدول الترتيب برصيد 17 نقطة، بعد خوضه 8 مباريات، حقق خلالها الفوز في 5 لقاءات، وتعادل مرتين، بينما تلقى هزيمة وحيدة.
أما مودرن سبورت فيقبع في المركز الأخير برصيد 4 نقاط حصدها من 4 تعادلات و4 خسائر فيما لم يحقق أي انتصار في الدوري المصري. هدف مودرن سبورت الأول أمام الزمالك
Ruud van Nistelrooy has penned a heartfelt message to Manchester United fans after leaving the club following Ruben Amorim's arrival.
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Van Nistelrooy joined Man Utd to assist Erik ten Hag
Took over as interim boss when Dutchman was sacked
New coach Amorim decided not to keep him on
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Van Nistelrooy left Manchester United after a short but successful spell as interim head coach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman was brought in to assist the former Ajax boss but was instead handed the reins when he was relieved of his duties. Ruben Amorim's arrival raised questions about whether the ex-Man Utd striker would remain at Old Trafford but it was decided he would be leaving the Theatre of Dreams, to the disappointment of many. He has now penned a goodbye letter to fans on social media.
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WHAT VAN NISTELROOY SAID
On Instagram, Van Nistelrooy said: "To everyone at Manchester United Football Club, in particular the backroom staff, the players and the fans. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible efforts and support. It has been a privilege and honour to represent the club as a player, coach and manager, and I will always cherish the memories we have shared together. M.U.F.C will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope there are many more glory days at Old Trafford very soon – not only because I want the club to do well, but because you all deserve it! All the best and take care, Ruud."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Plenty of Man Utd fans do not see Van Nistelrooy's departure as a permanent farewell, but as a see you soon. Later down the line, it would not be surprising to see the legendary forward return to Manchester as the club's permanent manager.
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WHAT NEXT FOR VAN NISTELROOY?
The 48-year-old has already been tipped for a return to management in the coming months. Burnley have been linked with Van Nistelrooy as they stutter under Scott Parker and after having a taste back in the dugout, Van Nistelrooy may be on the hunt for his next job immediately.
Ao completar para as redes com um surpreendente cabeceio um cruzamento de Fagner, Cantillo marcou na noite desta terça-feira, na Neo Química Arena, o seu primeiro gol com a camisa do Corinthians. Ele então colocou o seu time na frente do placar no triunfo alvinegro por 3 a 1 sobre o Bahia, de virada, em resultado que levou a sua equipe a alcançar a quarta posição do Campeonato Brasileiro.
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Ao comemorar o seu papel decisivo para a vitória, o jogador colombiano destacou o fato de que o gol veio em um jogo emblemático para o clube, pois marcou a volta da torcida corintiana ao estádio, após quase 20 meses de partidas com arquibancadas vazias por causa da pandemia do novo coronavírus.
– Estou muito feliz pelo meu primeiro gol com essa camisa, sabemos o que representa. É impressionante como fica o estádio. Todos trabalham para jogar, todos estão dispostos para o momento que o treinador precisa. É uma competição sadia em um grupo que sabe o que quer – afirmou Cantillo, em entrevista ao canal Premiere logo após o confronto.
O gol marcado por Cantillo também coincide com o bom momento vivido pelo jogador, que completou a sua terceira partida seguida como titular e já havia sido elogiado pelo técnico Sylvinho pela boa atuação que também exibiu no empate por 2 a 2 com o Red Bull Bragantino, na noite do último sábado, em Bragança Paulista.
Titular pela primeira vez do time do Londrina no último sábado, contra o CSA, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B, o zagueiro Marcão segue ganhando espaço no time. Contando com a confiança do treinador Márcio Fernandes, o jogador teve boa atuação, apesar da derrota por 2 a 0 para o time alagoano.
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O bom desempenho pode render uma sequência na equipe principal do Tubarão. Marcão falou da importância de seguir trabalhando para se manter.
– Foi bom ter essa oportunidade como titular e ter jogado os 90 minutos pela primeira vez, apesar do resultado da partida. Trocaria pelos três pontos. Mas isso ajuda a ganhar ritmo e dá confiança para a sequência da competição, estamos precisando disso. Vou seguir trabalhando para conquistar meu espaço. É bom saber que tenho a confiança do treinador, mas tenho que seguir demonstrando nos treinos e nos jogos que mereço isso – afirmou Marcão.
Com a última derrota para o CSA, o Londrina parou na 18ª colocação, com 21 pontos, e ficou cinco pontos atrás do primeiro time fora da zona de rebaixamento. Marcão destacou a união do grupo para tentar escapar do Z4.
– Estamos trabalhando muito para sair dessa situação. O desempenho melhorou, mas os resultados não vieram nas últimas partidas. Mas ainda estamos perto dos primeiros times fora do Z4 e vamos continuar acreditando até o final. Estamos focados e unidos para tirar o Londrina dessa situação..
O próximo compromisso do Londrina no Campeonato Brasileiro da Série B é contra o Náutico, nos Aflitos, na próxima terça-feira, às 21h30. Com 21 pontos em 24 jogos, a equipe paranaense é o 18 º colocado na tabela da segundona.